Also Known as
Nimbu ka Phool, Nimbu ka sat

Description
A naturally occurring, tart tasting compound is a natural, odourless and colourless crystalline substance with a pleasantly refreshing acidulous taste. It is extracted from the juices of the fruits to be made into a white powder that is used as a flavoring in foods and beverages. Usually produced in powder form. It easily mixes into liquids, making it a valuable acid. Citric acid is used as a flavoring in many preparations of Vitamin C, and has a wide variety of other uses. In industry, citric acid can be used to make good "natural" cleaners, though some may still contain chemicals that are not exactly natural. It's also now commonly used in preparing photographs.

Citric Acid Crystal Form
Citric acid in crystal form are granules that are larger than salt. If you get the crystal form you need to make sure the crystals are completely dissolved before adding it to any dish. It does not readily dissolve in cool water. To dissolve the crystal citric try using a cooking pot, boil the water on the stove; dissolve the citric in the pot, then pour the water into your soaking solution. This seems to work best for crystal citric. Citric Acid Crystals are sometimes referred to as sour salt in cooking.

Citric Acid Powder Form
The powdered form is very fine, finer than iodized salt. It can be added to any dish instantly as there is no prior need to soak. Citric Acid powder is useful in sprouting, canning, drying or freezing to preserve Vitamin C content, retard spoilage by bacterial growth, and prevent discoloration.

How to Select
Choose from the brands available in the market. Don't forget to check the manufacturing and expiry dates stamped on the label. Buy in small packets to keep up the taste maximum.

Culinary Uses
· Citric acid is not only used as a flavoring but also as a firming compound. Tomato products use citric acid to keep canned tomatoes firmer in texture as well as reducing the pH level to assist with the sterilization process when canning.
· It is also a common ingredient used to keep canned fruits from darkening. Citric Acid or Citric Acid Crystals are sometimes referred to as sour salt in cooking.
· Citric Acid is a mild acid used as an acidulant in foods.
· When used to curdle milk it produces a homemade cottage cheese.
· It is used to enhance the fruit flavor in most candy jells and gummys. Sour gummies contain exceptionally high quantities of citric acid which gives them their sour taste; they are typically also coated with the citric acid crystals.
· Citric acid is used to give lemonade, jams, sweets and confectioneries their characteristic acidulous flavour.
· It also plays an important role in the stabilization of oils and nutritional fats, and in vegetable, fruit preserves.
· As a food additive, citric acid is in common use. It can be added to flavor certain drinks, especially soft drinks.
· It is bitter - one of its main uses in food is to make certain candy sour.
· When you buy sour candies, you may note many of them are covered with a fine white powder. This is citric acid, which adds an exterior coating to the candies and provides quite a bit of sour taste. It can make the mouth pucker or feel dry, and higher quantities will produce very sour candies.

How to Store
Store in a tightly closed container. Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid exposure to moisture to retain its properties.

Health Benefits
Very few people are allergic to citric acid, but some people may have stomach sensitivity to it, and might better avoid foods containing it. Read labels carefully, since citric acid may be used as a preservative in many more foods than you might expect.